State Board ends diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Virginia’s community colleges

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The state board that oversees Virginia’s community colleges has made several changes to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion measures in America’s schools. 

The board passed a resolution, attached below, on March 20 requiring the administration and staff at all 23 of the state’s community colleges to abide by the order.

The board also voted to change the Virginia Community College System’s (VCCS) strategic plan, something that has drawn mixed reactions. 

“We want people to be able to rise and fall on their own merit and DEI policies are opposed to that,” Senator Glen Sturtevant (R-Colonial Heights) told 8News. 

“The community college system, they need to reverse this course,” said Delegate Mike Jones (D-Richmond). 

The board eliminated two items from the strategic plan including one to “increase the number of diverse full-time faculty and staff by 5% by 2030,” and another to “increase annual application yield for Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous students to 66% by 2030.” 

VCCS defines annual yield as “the percentage of unique credit students who are admitted as new or returning students during Summer, Spring and Fall who enroll in at least one course and receive a grade during any term of that academic year."

Sturtevant supports the board’s decision, saying the policies put a person’s race or ethnicity above their actual qualifications. 

“What America is about and should be about is that we judge people based on their merit, the content of their character and not on their immutable characteristics -- things they have no control over,” said Sturtevant. 

However, Jones disagrees saying diversity policies help ensure minorities, who he says have been subject to systemic racism for centuries, have the same opportunities as their white counterparts. 

“It bothers me when people come up to me, I don’t see race. You need to see race because when you see race you will understand and see the obstacles that I had to face, the challenges I had to overcome, just simply being born the color that I am into the system or the country that I was born in,” Jones told 8News. 

VCCS also agreed to get rid of its Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Culture and made several changes to HR policies surrounding diversity. 

8News received the following statement from VCCS Chancellor David Doré on Thursday:

“A fundamental component of Virginia’s Community Colleges is our open admission model in which anyone with a desire to learn is empowered to reach their full potential. Diversity in all its forms, respect and inclusivity are core values of Virginia’s Community Colleges and are honored through a unified culture of opportunity for our students and employees. Each of our colleges reflects its distinct community. And, together with their communities, our colleges contribute directly to shared success across the Commonwealth. Virginia’s Community Colleges share a conviction in the power of education to improve lives, support families, and strengthen communities. We will continue to be laser focused on our students and their success. Our mission remains the same.” Chancellor David Doré, Virginia Community College System

The following is a statement from VCCS Board Chair Terri Thompson:

"The adoption of today’s resolution by the State Board for Community Colleges does not change our values. Our mission “to give everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened” will always be at the heart of everything we do. I am confident the Chancellor and all 23 Presidents will continue to comply with all federal and state laws and foster a culture of care and success for all students." Board Chair Terri Thompson, Virginia Community College System